Fistula - Urinary Tract

What is Fisula?
A fistula is a tiny channel or tract that develops in the presence of inflammation and infection. A vesicovaginal fistula is an abnormal connection between the urinary tract and the vagina. It is the most common type of urinary tract fistula. Light microscopy showed inflammatory cellular infiltrates (mainly neutrophils) around the pancreatogastric fistula, but there was no evidence of neoplastic epithelia lining the fistulous tract. The fistula may connect at any site in the respiratory tract, from trachea down to lobar bronchus. The fistula may be difficult to locate and may not be visualized at endoscopy of respiratory or upper GI tract.

The fistulous tract was opened and thorough visualization of the fistula on the rectal and vaginal side was done. The fistula tract must be opened along with the source of the infection. Laser light applied through a fiber optic strand has been used to core out the fistula tract with minimal damage to surrounding tissue. A fistula is a tract or opening that forms under the skin from the anus to outside of the body. There is a risk of developing cancer in the fistula tract if left untreated for a long period of time. Either the tract or fistula can be opened or the tract and the pocket inside are completely removed. A blunt fistula probe should be passed between the internal and external openings of the fistula defining the tract. Surgical treatment consists of cutting open the entire fistula tract and allowing it to heal from inside.